tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post8618261338973998674..comments2017-12-12T03:56:26.963-06:00Comments on American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Jan Brett and Sherman AlexieDebbie Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-73419322896345517442010-05-17T16:55:34.493-05:002010-05-17T16:55:34.493-05:00I recently read the Absolutely True Diary and foun...I recently read the Absolutely True Diary and found it to be a very good read. YA literature typically deals with multiple issues that teens encounter and Alexie did not let us down. Alexie describes multiple issues that a typical 14 year old boy might experience and relates them with authenticity and compassion. Although when I was growing up masturbation was not talked about, nothing seems taboo for the youth of today. I had no idea what like on a reservation might be like and Alexie provides the reader with a snapshot into that world. The reader also is exposed to what life as an American Indian might be like both on and off the reservation and how Native Americans are still perceived in our communities in the 21st century. His realistic (I assume) depiction will hopefully energize us to action so that we will consciously treat others fairly and equitably.Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545857278795611707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-46514330981608387432009-03-30T16:28:00.000-05:002009-03-30T16:28:00.000-05:00You mention, "in The Three Snow Bears, we have ano...You mention, "in The Three Snow Bears, we have another book in which an author/illustrator puts Native clothing on animals, effectively de-humanizing American Indians." Animals and cartoon characters are constantly pictured in clothing worn by Americans of all races. I don't feel dehumanized by animals in children's books wearing jeans and t-shirts. Nor do I think you would even blink if you saw a book in which animals were dressed in traditional European, African, or Asian clothing. I'm a big fan of Sherman Alexie's books and also of Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations. Your over-sensitivity loses me here.Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-43501610266428584092008-01-12T09:07:00.000-06:002008-01-12T09:07:00.000-06:00I feel a bit dirty posting in the same comment sec...I feel a bit dirty posting in the same comment section as the "anonymous" posters who are evidently both unaware of the continuing colonization of Native peoples and disproportionately fearful of critical analyses that might challenge that colonization.<BR/><BR/>But, as you are discussing Alexie's Absolutely True here, I'll offer my thoughts. While I think the book is well written, as is most of his work, it is an overstatement to claim that Absolutely True represents "all that is good" with books featuring Native characters. Like Debbie, I appreciate the brutally honest portrayal of life on and off the reservation. And the contemporary setting is always a wonderful thing to find in American Indian children's lit. Yet, however honest they might be, I think that many scenes will contribute to white stereotypes about Indians (ie, Indians are alcoholics, savage fighters, etc). Like most of Alexie's books, the intended audience here seems to be largely non-Native. Therefore I'm not so sure that narrative honesty is as important as how these portrayals of Indians will resonate in the collective white mindset. Yes, alcoholism and fighting exist in Native communities. But do we really need to further highlight that fact for an audience that still largely delights in images of the lazy drunk / Indian warrior? <BR/><BR/>I know that others have already slammed Alexie for these issues. And I know that Alexie has responded by claiming that honesty is his primary concern. I don't want to slam him because I did like the book, but there are far too many issues to praise it without qualification.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-74166071928851791332008-01-11T15:33:00.000-06:002008-01-11T15:33:00.000-06:00I loved "Absolutely True" - it's a great book. Wo...I loved "Absolutely True" - it's a great book. Would it have been any less great had it been written by someone else? I don't think so. Might "Indian Killer" have been considered offensive had it been written by someone else? I think it likely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-24364232447219055302008-01-03T11:52:00.000-06:002008-01-03T11:52:00.000-06:00I always appreciate your posts both here on your b...I always appreciate your posts both here on your blog and on Child-Lit. The posts are always thoughtful. I worry about those like the two anonymous commenters - they seem to have a problem with open dialogue, something at the very heart of civic discourse. Learning to listen to others is such an important part of this. When they respond this way, I worry that they silence others. (btw, do you know Cheryl Glenn's book <I>Unspoken: A Rhetoric of Silence</I>?k8https://www.blogger.com/profile/07547334819703279971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-20043755953808573122008-01-02T11:18:00.000-06:002008-01-02T11:18:00.000-06:00Debbie, your insight on the differences in intelli...Debbie, your insight on the differences in intelligence of both authors is something that I've faced practicing broadcast journalism in the southwest. As an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, I was the only individual in my journalism classes in college to be able to distinguish the subtle & often times, brutal distinctions made in the media regarding Indian (& other minorities) culture and contemporary life. The mostly, Anglo, students' reactions were quite similar to the anonymous postings that preceed mine.<BR/>I also tangled with the Associated Press when they would title a story on the wire beginning with race: "Indian driver killed in head-on" while other stories began with "Driver killed in head-on."<BR/>It's kind of like when the non-Native individuals started selling their "Indian" jewelry under the portal in Albuquerque's Old Town then wondered what they were doing wrong.<BR/>Thank you for your hindsight and best of luck in your educational endeavors!Pat M.www.myspace.com/paty2kmurfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-46147854449927939462008-01-02T00:48:00.000-06:002008-01-02T00:48:00.000-06:00I appreciate the work you do, Debbie. There are so...I appreciate the work you do, Debbie. There are so many things you've brought up that I'd love to talk about with you. In reading your blog, most of the time I feel it most appropriate for me to be in the "listening" role, as it were. <BR/><BR/>I read Alexie's book in one sitting. He's a good storyteller, and has that gift of making the reader identify with the protagonist even though their personal life experiences may be different.Alkelda the Gleefulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04733517166056974501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-71920358737782970302008-01-01T08:22:00.000-06:002008-01-01T08:22:00.000-06:00Afflicting the comfortable must be one of the leas...Afflicting the comfortable must be one of the least-rewarded of human activities.... The two Anonymous comments in response to your Brett/Alexie post notwithstanding, you have made many positive comments about good books with accurate representations of Native people. Those who have been disturbed by negative comments -- have they actually followed up by looking into the many excellent books discussed on Debbie's blog and in her posts to ChildLit and other listservs? I hope curiosity overcomes their worry about challenges to the things that are familiar to them! The children they work with will benefit!jpmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-67559597148346269022008-01-01T00:42:00.000-06:002008-01-01T00:42:00.000-06:00I have to agree with anonymous as well. Each time...I have to agree with anonymous as well. Each time your posts pop up on the listserv I know it's going to be something negative. It appears you do more harm than good and that's truly a shame. I too will be deleting your posts from this point on. The listserv shouldn't be used as your personal soapbox. You only alienate people that way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-47914005694305033072007-12-31T17:47:00.000-06:002007-12-31T17:47:00.000-06:00Thanks Debbie, I just read Sherman Alexie's book a...Thanks Debbie, <BR/><BR/>I just read Sherman Alexie's book and then my 10-year-old son snagged it away from me and devoured it in one day! (He's probably too young, but I couldn't say no once he'd started and was so into it--he literally could not put it down). We both just loved it and wanted more information, so your blog was the first place I went. Thanks for the thoughtful posts and for posting the u-tube of Alexie talking about the book. For the record, I really hope that school libraries will decide to carry it and will not shy away because of its frank discussions of masturbation or alcohol or death -- the valuable things my son learned and the joy he had reading such a well-written novel far outway the moment of embarrassment we both had when he asked me, "mom, what's a boner?" and I blushed a little before explaining, :-) (but I'm glad we got to talk about it.) We talked about the book quite a bit: Will said he liked it because the author "talked about sad things in a really funny way," which I thought was a great analysis. <BR/><BR/>Happy New Year! And thanks for keeping up the blog -- it's a great resource. <BR/><BR/>--Annette WannamakerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-2948252619706769272007-12-31T17:03:00.000-06:002007-12-31T17:03:00.000-06:00Honestly, you try to find fault and insult in the ...Honestly, you try to find fault and insult in the minutiea of life. the whole world is not against native peoples. I am going to quit reading your posts on the listserve because of the constant carping. Sorry I'm anonymous, but I am afraid you will post this like you did that other person's e-mail. Sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com